Big Idea:
Empathy helps us to define the problems that we will collaboratively solve in order to co-create classroom structures that optimize student learning outcomes. How might we leverage empathy to refine our understanding of problem areas in the classroom?

Big Idea:
Ideation, identification of constraints, and convergent thinking are processes that link understanding a problem to implementing a solution. How might students develop collaborative skills for ideating solutions and developing impactful prototypes?

Big Idea:
Designers test prototypes so that they can improve them. How might students engage in structured feedback protocols to understand and address the inevitable shortcomings of prototypes that they create?

Big Idea:
Designers use feedback from the testing stage to improve prototype solutions, but iteration requires openness to design mindsets. How might we use process reflection as an opportunity to build awareness of design mindsets?

Big Idea:
Reframing engineering design thinking as human centered design is an important reconceptualization. How might we surface the common, sometimes painful needs of students to design solutions that meet those needs?

Big Idea:
Design is integral to social entrepreneurship initiatives. How might we critically analyze real-world engineering design thinking in underdeveloped countries to identify a spectrum of design abilities?

Big Idea:
Students must practice all aspects of the engineering design process in real time for a teacher to assess mastery. How might we assess students' mastery of engineering design thinking through a real-world design?